The Old City in the Yemeni capital, San’a, “is one of the world’s architectural gems, a thicket of unearthly medieval towers etched with white filigree and crowned with stained-glass windows. But more unusual than their mere survival is the fact that the traditional building arts continue to thrive here.”
Tag: 11.16.09
In Brains, Is Bigger Really Better? Consider The Insect World
Bees and ants, to name two, have famously complex behaviors and social structures governed by their tiny cerebella. “Instead of contributing intelligence, big brains might just help support bigger bodies, which have larger muscles to coordinate and more sensory information coming in. Like computers, … size might add storage capacity but [not] necessarily speed or usefulness.”
Why Is This Year’s Best-Actress Oscar Pool So Shallow?
“The lack of depth has led to a slew of awards-season chatter, from the expected downplaying — all categories are cyclical — to blanket explanations about studios making fewer awards movies in general. If the latter explanation were a factor, best actor also would be weak this year. It’s not. … So what’s really going on here?”
All The Bible Really Needs Is A Little Star Power
“Jim Caviezel (Jesus), Malcolm McDowell (King Solomon) and Richard Dreyfuss (Moses) were among hundreds of actors who lined up to create ‘The Word of Promise Audio Bible,’ all 98 hours and 79 CDs of it.” Other boldface participants: Max von Sydow as Noah, Gary Sinise as David, Marisa Tomei as Mary Magdalene and Jason Alexander as Joseph.
Google Books Decides To Stick To Anglophone World
“Google has scaled back its digital book plans after submitting a revised settlement with industry regulators following pressure from European and Asian governments. The amended settlement proposes Google will only digitise books copy-protected in the US or published in the UK, Canada and Australia – a significant reduction on its original plans.” (New Zealand is ticked off.)
Police: Ex-Winterthur Staffer Stole Lavishly Via Credit Card
“A former Winterthur Museum employee voluntarily turned himself into Delaware State Police today after a theft investigation revealed he had spent more than $100,000 of the museum’s money.”
For Alzheimer’s, Stroke, Autism, Music Can Help
“[B]eyond the entertainment value, there’s growing evidence that listening to music can also help stimulate seemingly lost memories and even help restore some cognitive function.” As neuroscientists begin to understand how that happens, “they are starting to work hand in hand with music therapists to develop new therapeutic programs.”
Let’s Hear It For Wildly Uncomfortable West End Theatres!
“The only thing that could keep me alert through three hours of Brecht – however good the production – on a Monday evening is the fact that I could topple 20 feet if I nodded off. Theatre demands effort from the audience, and by God, the West End makes us work.” But will audiences keep putting up with the toil the venues exact?
To Save Bookstore, French Townspeople Buy The Lease
“Poligny residents’ effort to preserve an old-fashioned Main Street bookstore may seem eccentric in an age of electronics, instantaneous communication and discount giants. But not in France, a country that is unusually fixated on its centuries-old traditions and is determined to safeguard its cultural heritage.”
Michael Feinstein To Direct A Jazz At Lincoln Center Series
The appointment “is the culmination of a three-year artistic courtship between Mr. Feinstein and Wynton Marsalis, the artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center.” The singer and pianist will direct a new popular music series as “part of a larger plan to broaden programming.”